CBRSD to Reconvene Regional Agreement PanelBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:13AM / Tuesday, January 07, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — After an outcry of concern from residents in several small towns in the Central Berkshire Regional School District, the district will investigate how to adjust its proposed update of the regional agreement. The district has been functioning without an approved regional agreement since 1968. The agreement was updated in 1997 but received approval only from the towns, not the state commissioner. For over a year, the district has been working to bring the agreement up to date with state law. "It's been a long time we've been operating without approval. State law is we're supposed to be operating with approval," >> Read More |
Pittsfield Public Schools Announces Pre-Kindergarten Lottery| 10:43AM / Monday, January 06, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, children living in Pittsfield, who will be 3 or 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2025, may complete an application for the Pittsfield Public Schools Pre-Kindergarten Program lottery. Pre-Kindergarten spaces are limited. Students must register by May 1, 2025 to be considered for the school based lottery which will occur on May 15, 2025. To be entered into the Pre-Kindergarten Lottery: Go to pittsfield.net, select Registration. Select Pre-Kindergarten Registration and complete the online Pre-Kindergarten application form. Applicants will be required to email a copy of their child's Birth >> Read More |
BCC Receives Funding for ESOL Classes| 08:01AM / Monday, January 06, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announced that it has received funding from 1Berkshire for two cohorts of adult students enrolling in BCC's English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. 1Berkshire will provide $15,000 per cohort for the spring and fall 2025 semesters, allowing ESOL students to receive full tuition assistance. BCC's ESOL classes are designed to assist non-native English speakers, primarily immigrants, in assimilating into the community and achieving their academic and career goals. Classes focus on English reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, while also integrating critical thinking, digital literacy, civics, and
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Pittsfield School Committee Chair Details PHS InvestigationBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:26AM / Friday, January 03, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — School Committee Chair William Cameron has provided additional details about the third-party investigation into alleged staff misconduct at Pittsfield High School.
On Monday, the committee authorized him to negotiate and execute a retainer agreement with law firm Bulkley Richardson Gelinas of Springfield for "independent and impartial investigations of certain Pittsfield Public School employees."
A second investigation by a different firm will target the district's internal processes.
Mid-week, Cameron forwarded iBerkshires answers to a list of queries from news blogger Dan Valenti of PlanetValenti.com "in order to ensure that I am providing
>> Read More |
Pittsfield School Committee OKs Firm for PHS Staff InvestigationBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
11:54AM / Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Officials approved a third-party investigation on alleged staff misconduct at Pittsfield High School that's expected to wrap up by March.
On Monday, the School Committee authorized Chair William Cameron to negotiate and execute a retainer agreement with law firm Bulkley Richardson Gelinas of Springfield for "independent and impartial investigations of certain Pittsfield Public School employees."
"We need to have a credible investigation with the public so that the public can have confidence there is not something being covered up here," Cameron said during the special virtual meeting, citing public suspicion that the administration knew
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2024 in Sports: Hoosac Valley Girls Basketball Was Top StoryBy Stephen Dravis, iBerkshires Staff
05:06AM / Tuesday, December 31, 2024 | |
 The year that is ending came in with a bang as Berkshire County wrapped up three team state titles before 2024 was three months old. As the year went on, state crowns were harder to come by, but there still were a number of Western Mass titles and individual accomplishments to thrill local high school sports fans. Here is a look back at some of the stories that caught our eye in the year gone by: 1. County dynasty continues The story of the year was the story of the century as the Hoosac Valley girls basketball program reached its eighth state title game since 2014. And the Hurricanes won their third state championship in that run with a 71-53 win over West >> Read More |
MSBA Greenlights Pittsfield's Crosby/Conte ProposalBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:06PM / Friday, December 20, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.—The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) has accepted a statement of interest for the proposed Crosby/Conte build.
On Wednesday, Superintendent Joseph Curtis reported that the MSBA met on Friday and accepted the project into its queue. The proposal involves rebuilding Conte Community School and Crosby Elementary on the West Street site with shared facilities, addressing outdated infrastructure, insufficient layouts, and significant repair needs.
Curtis said earlier that day, the district participated in module one of the work for possibly a new building on West Street. Part of that work is a feasibility study.
The Crosby/Conte plan has
>> Read More |
Third PHS Staff Member Put on LeaveBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:35PM / Thursday, December 19, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A third Pittsfield High School staff member has been put on administrative leave — the second one to be investigated by the Department of Children and Families.
In a Thursday communication to the Pittsfield Public Schools community, Superintendent Joseph Curtis said allegations related to the staff member's time at a previous employer, not at PHS. Former Principal Henry Duval has been called in to support the administrative staff during this time.
"The School Committee and I realize how difficult the past week has been for our community," the superintendent wrote.
Last week, PHS Dean Lavante Wiggins was arrested and charged by the U.S.
>> Read More |
'An Abomination': Parents, Residents React to PHS Staff ScandalBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:39AM / Thursday, December 19, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— "Disgusting," an "abomination," and warranting a "clean house."
This is what angry community members said after two Pittsfield High School staff were put on administrative leave in the last week, one for federal drug charges and the other for an investigation by the Department of Children and Families.
Superintendent Joseph Curtis addressed claims that the district was aware of illegal activity at the school, asserting "I am embarrassed and I am livid."
"When I started getting the text messages at virtually the same time, I was immediately outraged," he said at Wednesday's School Committee
>> Read More |
PHS Student Files Suit Against Teacher, School DistrictStaff Reports,
05:27AM / Thursday, December 19, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Adding to the Pittsfield High School's woes is a lawsuit filed in federal court accusing officials failing to intervene in a teacher's sexual harassment of a student. The school last week put two of its administrators on leave because of external investigations: Dean of Students Lavante Wiggins was arrested and arraigned by federal authorities on drug trafficking charges and the other is the subject of an investigation by the state Department of Children and Families. The lawsuit, first reported by The Berkshire Eagle, was filed in September in U.S. District Court in Springfield. A PHS student has accused retired English >> Read More |
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